Again, a situation and questions:
Situation: You have a stable, well-paying job and in fact you will be promoted soon. However, the last few years have been hard for you because you realized that you are not happy in your job and you want to do art, your passion since childhood. This means you will likely not have stability and possibly not much money. You talked about this with your family and friends and everyone strongly discouraged you from making the change from your current job to what you want to do.
Questions: Would you quit your job? If you do, how would you deal with the instability and financial problems? How would you deal with societal pressure? If you don’t, how would you deal with the unhappiness?
This is SUCH an amazing scenario 😍
1. How much art have I actually done WHILE working in this soul sucking job?
2. Is being an artist a beautiful daydream I cling to, in order to get through the day of work suckage?
The truth is, if u don’t do art when it’s inconvenient, you won’t be doing art when it’s convenient
And buying all sorts of art supplies after quitting ur job to force yourself into an artistic corner does not an artist make and it never will
You see, ART is creation and beauty
And it takes a deliberate mindset – of space within ur heart
Sounds like the work place is so soul crushing that daydreaming about being an artist is the drug the keeps u working there …. giving u a sense of not-suffering-in-vain at a job that can have u replaced in a heartbeat …. because u have the depth of soul to be an artist
So show us your art work, that u’ve actually done this week
The art museum u’ve visited
The art magazines and workshops you attend
Introduce us to your artist friends
Show us your collaboration and the artistic ideas you’ve written down to fulfil
If u don’t do something anyway, even when the situation isn’t ideal, you ain’t going to do it when the ideal situation presents itself
That is a very nice perspective! Check yourself to see if you are actually passionate about art by adding art to your life now. If you really like it, then you will find time for it anyways.
I would do what I actually did when I found myself in very similar situations: I would take the promotion and the money, keep the job, and start working double the amount, harder, in my free time, to see what I can accomplish through my passion. This means evenings making art, promoting it, creating social channels to show my works, etc. I would invest in time, while keeping the (needed) financial security, and see where I arrive.
Would that be too tiring? Or maybe beneficial because you are doing what you love and that is supposed to relax you?
Tiring as hell, but worth it 🙂
Good point!
A lot of food for thought there.
Thank you! You can share some of your thoughts when you like.
Welcome.
I will definitely take that opportunity.
Great!
I’m in a similar situation, though I’m on sick leave at the moment. The thought of some office job and settling down with some passionless girl sickens me now. I don’t know what I can do to get away from that but I know I want to.
I think the previous commenter gave you some sensible advice but I also think if you’re not happy then your not happy and you have to do something else to be happy. Can you do that thing while still working? Can you take some sort of sabbatical? Cut your hours for a while? That could be a good first step. Also how good is this job? Could you find a similar one if things didn’t work out?
Good questions! I think it makes sense to check what you can do with your passion while you are at work. If you genuinely feel happier when you do art, then you can maybe leave. But I guess, we also have to make sure that we have at least the minimum amount of money to get by until things pick up. So, a possible, non-demanding job opportunity can be sought after.
I faintly recall a post on similar concern months back.
Introspective questions (as posted here) often come with hidden answers. Therefore, it is clearly a tradeoff between instability and unhappiness. Noteworthy is the usage of opposites !
Logically, the tradeoff between instability and unhappiness is as same as that between happiness and stability respectively. So, the real question is – what is your question asking – to choose one of 2 negatives or one of 2 positives ?
Happiness is actually paired with instability. Can we actually choose two positives at the same time in this scenario?
Oh, yes – that is what we all want – the option of not choosing but to get all. 😀
And yes, it IS possible, but again through another tradeoff with a third factor – effort.
And if effort that is already being given, is more demanding as more than feasible, then again comes another tradeoff with a fourth factor – (yes, we want everything “free”) – time; give your life some time to bring both happiness and stability to you. And, it does, indeed ! The question is when.
If you want it earlier, then double or even triple the efforts, otherwise wait. The only limitations are uncontrollable feasibility and controllable desires.
Well-said! Everything comes with a price!
1. Do i even have a plan?
2. Can i do it? How good am I
3. Is it worth it?
4. Will it work
5. There are 2,000,000 artists out there how do i compete or avoid competing.
These are exactly the questions to ask! How would you know the answers though?
Well thats the dilemma
Are you being honest to yourself
Is it self doubt
Is it fear
Well the good news is you can always grow and improve. With the right group of like minded people you would grow.
‘Grow’ meaning you would find what the real reason for the dilemma is?
Growth means talent is not something fixed. You can improve how good you are. If you were born without the talent you can learn.
Nice!
Question #2 – how good am I – is the foremost decision-making question.
And very very well-noted – “avoid” competing is also a path.
True. There is also the luck factor in these things. But assessing one’s ability comes first.
Thank you for pointing that out. Dilemma is the border line between self talk, fear and being honest to one self.
It depends on what my situation is, for example, if there are people who rely on me and depend on me I’d have a tough time to quit my job and pursue my passion since it would be a bit selfish, if not then I’d try my best to find the best solution while I pursue my happiness.
Could you pursue something that you don’t like though? In other words, would the need to care for others push you enough to stay in a place you don’t like?
Honestly, I think that I’d personally start following my passions during my off time. The economy is a tough one and so I see why there’s discouragement when it comes to a tough switch. If I saw small successes coming from the effort I put into my art, I’d leave my job then but probably won’t before that.
Nice strategy! You would need to have the energy to put in something else during your off-time, which is probably hard initially. Do you think it is possible to manage two major things at the same time without getting too tired?
I think that your physical and mental health triumphs all else. So if your job is extremely demanding then it’s understandable to not want to push yourself too hard.
That being said, commitment is key. You don’t need to put out 4 pieces of artwork in one weekend just so you feel like you’re giving your passion justice. It’s perfectly fine to work on perfecting the outline in one weekend and then complete the rest of the painting in the subsequent weekends.
You can always push yourself more when you’ve hit that point where giving time to your passion despite your busy schedule is second nature to you.
If your passion is something you want for a career then it’s always better to not try rushing it and risk an early burnout.
The bottom line is yes, I do believe that you can juggle two things if you have the discipline for it and a planned process to follow.
Well-said! It is better not to be caught in the passion right away. We should plan it and make sure that it will serve the purpose. Thanks for the nice comment!
Other than tough economy, the issue can grow significant, when the job eats away the off time too. Such is unhealthy !
I suppose that depends on the job. Obviously working that much is unhealthy but one could always find a job with more suitable hours.
Again for me, the point is not sticking with a job that drains you but rather finding steady ground before making a huge jump.
Good point! It is better to proceed with caution. Survival is first, but also we want to survive better. A mid-ground is needed, which requires cautious analysis.
It is!
Personally I would do what you want to do in your spare time until you get good cashflow going. Then once you become more successful with it, make the plunge and go full time!
Cashflow from your passion, right? If so, if you do it only in your spare time, is it possible to get enough cashflow (since we are not giving our all to something)?
Yeah, cashflow from your passion. It is possible, though it can be a struggle. Writing is my side hustle and I have made some money off it, though not a lot.
That is reassuring!
Just preaching the truth. Keep working at it!
I think people are making helpful comments about what’s involved in the decision. I’m curious and interested in what kind of art you make. I was also thinking about two economic factors: how much money do you have saved? Is there a job you could transition to that incorporates art? -Rebecca
These are valid questions! The bottomline there seems to be that you should not fully sacrifice economic concerns for the sake of passion. We need to first make sure that we can survive. Is that right?
Yes, that’s my pov. I think that on weekends you can be building up your portfolio. If the current job is soul crushing, however, it may be time to look for another to build up your cash reserves and then make your next step when you have a year’s living expenses saved and a cache of artwork that makes you proud.
Well-said!
Do both until the art pays for life. One job feeds the soul and the other feeds the belly.
That is the best solution but it also requires a lot of self-discipline and time management skills, right?
Absolutely!
Hey! Just want to ask you if you’re familiar with financial terms, specifically active & passive income.
I already mentioned that on my previous blog post.
Active income is as simple as “no work, no pay” concept. And passive income in the opposite around.
You ca get paid, even though you are not physically present.
As long as there are people who will work for you and will check on your business, that can never be a problem.
Actually, without being bias, both of them have benefits and I want you to have these two. 🙏
‘Cause for practicality, not every single day you have stable earnings.
There are moments when the sales are low and you’ll be clinging to your active income alone for a moment, which is your current job.
So don’t give up on your stable job, but try to add an outlet to not feel down about yourself.
Mind you, I have a full-time job (active income) and at the same time, I am freelance blogger (passive income). I write whenever I have some down time.
To avoid confusion, I am not saying not to quit your job.I am just saying to find a stable job you like doing and add that art in your routine. Besides, you could sell arts online, too. 😉
Anyways, it is all up to you. I just want to help you out since you are asking a suggestion from us. ☺
I hope, I was able to be of a help to you. 💓 God bless & Good luck! 🙏
That is a nice comment! I did’t know about the distinction between income types but it makes sense. What you are saying is that we should keep the active income coming in and try to add some passive income to it. The question then is how to balance this.
Exactly! 😃
*You can get paid. Sorry for the typo. 🙈
No problem!😊
I hope that will make you decide more clearer now. ☺
I hope so too:)
😊
One should never work for money Betul. Listen to your heart. Do what you are passionate about. Life is too important and beautiful to be spent in an uninteresting job. We spent maximum of our waking hours in our jobs and they need to be joyous and fun.
I have done it. I know what I am talking about.
Society and Environment are important; but you are most important 😇🤗
That is what Is ultimately the best. But how can you make sure that you can survive?
Remember we are to meet and I have to teach you how to lead my kind of life ? 😊
Love and Travel 💕
I don’t know when we shall meet but I shall try and write to you an email and maybe one day we can talk.
Life is simple Betul. We make it complex. Mahatma Gandhi had said: There is enough in this world for everyone’s needs, but not enough even for one man’s greed. And that is true.
You didn’t create yourself isn’t it? Our body is a marvel and with all its advances we still know less than 10% about our body and less than 1% about our minds 🤔😇 The power, the Consciousness that created this miracle of our body and our life will always sustain us. It always has and always will.
Nature’s abundance has never been exhausted, despite all the plundering and looting and greed.
Very difficult to write all this here Betul and I am hard pressed for time.
But am sure very soon you will understand what I am saying and would lead the life of your dreams.
Love and blessings and hugs 🤗
Ashok, this is so touching! I don’t know what to say about this except that it is very well-said. I hope I achieve that understanding some day.
You are very smart and intelligent Betul and am sure you will understand it sooner than I did 😊🤗
I think this is not about smartness as we understand it. It is about trust in intuitions. Hopefully I will leant that:)
Do check out Self Realisation Fellowship (SRF) website : Yogananda.org
Paramahansa Yogananda has explained and taught how one can develop intuition, just like one develops will power. His teachings are amazing and non sectarian; I learned about Love and Abundance from these teachings only.
Self Study teachings can be applied online.
All the very best to you from a beautiful and sunny day in DC
I have heard so much about Yogananda that I think it is high time I read his writings! Thanks for sharing it!
My pleasure entirely my young friend
https://ashokwahi.wordpress.com/2019/10/08/what-is-your-religion/
I will read that after my presentation tomorrow:)
All the best Betul.
I’m not sure this situation requires an either/or answer. I think it would be possible to keep my day job and then find a way to do art too. If I’m serious about art and I have talent, I think it would certainly be possible to start making some money by selling some pieces. Of course, I’d want to put together a nice website and use all the usual methods to promote my artistic endeavors. If my family truly loves me, they love me for more reasons than the money I’m capable of bringing into the house. They love me when I’m happy and I find a way to love myself. I’ll be a better husband and father and etc if I’m a happy person. If I ignore these urges to make art, it is likely that I’ll end up resentful and my relationships would certainly suffer as I sour as a person.
At the end, you should listen to the urges but perhaps transition smoothly. But the goal should be to really transition instead of keeping doing something you don’t like that much for the money. Is that right?
I wouldn’t quit straight away but at least let the art flourish on the side (self promoting on the internet) before making the plunge. It’s unfortunate that everything revolves around money. Going headfirst into the art world sounds great… but we gotta eat as well…
If we did not have to eat, we would probably just leave it like that, I guess.
I would build a financial cushion first. Once it is comfortable enough to sit on, I would pursue my passion while sitting on it.
Nice analogy! Better safe than sorry!
I wouldn’t quit my job but i would follow my passion as a hobby and look for opportunities to turn my passion into a paying one
If you can turn your passion into a paying one, would you then quit your current job?
I would keep working on my passion until i start getting payed for it, then quit my job
That is a good strategy!